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Competition: British Pavilion for the 2018 Venice Biennale

The British Council has launched an open call to design the British Pavilion at next year’s Venice Biennale

The competition seeks ‘bold and imaginative’ proposals for a flagship installation exploring contemporary British architecture and its relationship with the rest of the world.

Overseen by Yvonne Farrell and Shelly McNamara of Dublin-based Grafton Architects, the 16th International Architecture Exhibition will run from 26 May to 25 November and focus on ‘Freespace’ and ‘generosity, thoughtfulness and a desire to engage’.

Sarah Mann, commissioner for the pavilion, said: ‘We are seeking proposals for the British Pavilion that can respond to Grafton’s theme Freespace. Next year’s Biennale theme looks at the fundamental role of architecture, celebrating its capacity for generosity and humanity, exploring its relationship to public and private.

‘We want the British Pavilion exhibition to provide an experience of the uplifting power of architecture. We are asking for proposals that challenge conventional exhibition formats, encourage participation and offer a new experience of contemporary British architecture, drawing on its ability to demonstrate meaningful dialogues between people and place.’

Readers' comments (1)

it's a shame that Biennale appears to be used as an opportunity only positive and uplifting ideas. Like an Expo or trade fair. It doesn't seem to be calling for exploration, criticality, experimentation or abstract ideas like the art biennele presents.

The only people interested in Architecture biennale will be other architects if it is treated as a PR activity for the industry rather than artistic inquiry.

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